A Kenyan man was attacked after shouting “tutam” at Rigathi Gachagua, the leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), during a rally in Lanet, Njoro on March 17, 2026.
In a viral video circulating online, the man is seen among Gachagua’s supporters as the DCP party leader spoke, asking, “si mlinipigia kura?…”
The man then turned to face the camera, raised two fingers to signify “two,” and shouted “tutam… two… tutam.”
The gesture and chant appeared to signal a rival political stance, drawing immediate attention from those around him. Moments later, the situation escalated.
A man in jungle-green attire, with a beige cap, is seen grabbing him by the jacket and striking him on the back.
The victim screamed as he tried to escape, struggling to free himself from the grip as the crowd watched. The brief but intense altercation captured the charged and sometimes volatile nature of political rallies.
The rally drew thousands of supporters and marked a major political engagement for the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) in the region.
The event in the Mwisho wa Lami area was one of the largest public gatherings the party has held this year, reflecting efforts to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 general election cycle.
Gachagua, who remains a central figure in Kenya’s opposition landscape following his impeachment as Deputy President in 2024, used the Njoro rally to sharpen his criticism of the current administration and articulate his party’s priorities.
He told the cheering crowd that concerns over the integrity of the 2027 polls were misplaced, asserting that electoral system reforms, especially decentralised counting at local polling stations, make rigging impossible.
“‘Ruto cannot steal the elections,’” he declared, framing his speech around themes of electoral fairness and democratic accountability.
The rally featured impassioned speeches, music, drums, and party banners as supporters clad in DCP colours and branded apparel waved flags and chanted slogans.
Alongside Gachagua, local leaders and parliamentary aspirants addressed the crowd, rallying grassroots volunteers and calling on residents to register and turn out in large numbers.
The mood remained energetic as Gachagua and his allies criticised what they described as government attempts to manipulate voter registration processes and delay the issuance of identification cards in key regions.
Security at the rally was visible, with both police and event stewards deployed to maintain order among the large crowd.
The Njoro rally comes as political activity intensifies nationwide, with parties ramping up ground engagements to appeal to voters ahead of the next election.
Gachagua’s message focused on uniting citizens around accountability, fair competition, and boosting participation across the Mt Kenya and Rift Valley regions.
